Spirulina
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium, often called blue-green algae, sold as a food or supplement, commonly as powder.
Also listed as Arthrospira maxima, Arthrospira platensis, Blue Green Algae, Spirulina maxima
Does spirulina lower cholesterol?
A 2023 meta-analysis of 20 studies involving 1,076 participants found lower LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, with higher HDL. These were blood-marker outcomes, not evidence of fewer heart attacks. 1
Why are conclusions not uniform?
A 2025 review including nine spirulina trials found no significant pooled lipid improvement. Different selections of small trials can therefore lead to different conclusions; the authors described the clinical significance as uncertain. 2
What happens to blood pressure?
A 2024 meta-analysis found average reductions of about 4.4 mmHg systolic and 2.8 mmHg diastolic. Evidence certainty was moderate, with substantial variation between studies. 3
What about weight and blood sugar?
A 2025 review of 23 studies in adults with overweight or obesity found a small pooled body-weight reduction, but no significant improvement in fasting glucose or insulin. Evidence for these glucose outcomes was very uncertain, so the null result does not settle every diabetes-related question. 4
Glucose findings in this population were uncertain and not statistically significant. 4
Does it improve sports performance?
A review of 13 studies found possible benefits during submaximal exercise, but no convincing improvement in power athletes and inconsistent evidence overall. Antioxidant-marker changes should not be equated with faster recovery or better competition results. 5
Preliminary exercise findings do not establish a general energy benefit. 5
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Longevity1 effect
Cardiovascular2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
Energy2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Weight Management2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Gut Health1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Immune Support2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Organ Function1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Cognition1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Hair & Skin1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Other effects1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
6 publications are linked to Spirulina, newest first.